Continuous ratchet drive

Abstract

A continuous ratchet drive for a fluid-operated wrench or the like comprises a support, a ratchet gear mounted on the support means turnably about a first pivot axis and having a plurality of ratchet teeth, a lever pivotable about a second pivot axis extending laterally from and parallel to the first pivot axis under the action of a drive, and two pawl elements pivotally connected with the lever means in pivot points which are spaced from the second pivot axis, the pawl elements being formed so that during pivoting of the lever in one direction one of the pawl elements engages with the teeth of the ratchet gear and turns the ratchet gear in one direction, while during pivoting the lever in an opposite direction the other of the pawl elements engages with the teeth of the ratchet gear and turns the ratchet gear in the same direction, each of the pawl elements including a supporting member having one end which is pivotally connected with the lever in a respective one of the pivot points and another end, and a pawl member which is pivotally connected with the other end of the supporting member and engages with the teeth of the ratchet gear during respective pivoting of the lever.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
       1. A continuous ratchet drive for a fluid-operated wrench or the like, comprising support means; a ratchet gear mounted on said support means turnably about a first pivot axis and having a plurality of ratchet teeth; lever means pivotable about a second pivot axis extending laterally from and parallel to said first pivot axis, under the action of a drive; two pawl elements pivotally connected with said lever means in pivot points which are spaced from said second pivot axis, said pawl elements being formed so that during pivoting of said lever means in one direction one of said pawl elements engages with said teeth of said ratchet gear and turns said ratchet gear in one direction, while during pivoting said lever means in an opposite direction the other of said pawl elements engages with said teeth of said ratchet gear and turns said ratchet gear in the same one direction, each of said pawl elements including a supporting member having one end which is pivotally connected with said lever means in a respective one of said pivot points and another end, and a pawl member which is pivotally connected with the other end of said supporting member and engages with said teeth of said ratchet gear during respective pivoting of said lever means; spring means arranged to bias said pawl elements as a whole relative to said lever means and toward said teeth of said ratchet gear; and additional spring means arranged to bias each of said pawl members relative to a respective one of said supporting members and toward said teeth of said ratchet gear.